Dole is a commune in the Jura department in the Franche-Comté region in eastern France, of which it is a subprefecture.HistoryDole was the capital of Franche-Comté until Louis XIV conquered the region; he shifted the parlement from Dole to Besançon. The university, founded by Duke Philippe le Bon of Burgundy in 1422, was also transferred to Besançon at that time.In January 1573, Gilles Garnier was put to death after being found guilty of lycanthropy and witchcraft. He had confessed of murdering and cannibalizing four young children.The 1995 film, Happiness Is in the Field, was set in Dole.GeographyDole is located on the Doubs River. The commune has a land area of 38.38km2.PopulationIt is the largest commune in Jura, although the préfecture is Lons-le-Saunier.